my conclusion after watching several reviews i bought mavic mini.... heres what i found now but i cant say about spark coz i havent test it... 1. the 2.7k 30fps is very nice to have and useful in post for cropping 2 the mini is lacking dynamic range sometimes i dont get the highlight i expected. 3. the 5km range really doesnt matter coz even if u fly more than 1 km u wont able to see... hope u would not want to lose the drone risking to go 5km....also dont go too high altitude strong wind is the worst enemy of the mini. but within 1km range and 200 m altitude hope u will find best angle 4. some are explaining absence of obs sensor at the front.. but dont be... use the camera view as your obstacle sensor 😁 because more sensor on the drone definitely reduces flight time .. you dont need much sensor if u know how to fly and carefully examine sorrounding before takeoff 4. battery life is great ...in real time i can fly 20-25 mins depending on how hard the wind is 5. the quick shot mode is good but only circle mode has the best tracking mode of the locked object. i hope this will be improved in further updates. 6. in video mode the iso and shutter speed cannot be manually adjust...but the ev is quite good for me and always lock your exposure setting so that u can easily edit in post. 7. lastly i cant believe the smoothness of the footage came from this small light drone.... i always wonder the strong wind will be causing trouble but this mini stays strong and fights that wind and still able to take a smooth buttery videos but too much strong wind drains battery and also always scares me that sometimes it almost look like itd gonna lose against wind.... but i am still amazed that it stays strong and how hard it fights against the wind.... still i recommend to be careful against strong wind warning THANKS HOPE THIS WILL BE HELPFUL FOR SOME PEOPLE
I think I'll stick with my Spark for a while. The obstacle avoidance just saved it the other day, so that's important to me. In the US not having to register the Mavic Mini doesn't mean much. If you're flying for recreation, you still have to follow the same rules as registered drones. If you're flying Part 107 then you are still required to register the Mavic MIni. If you're going to fly outdoors with the prop guards it's over 250 grams and has to be registered.
@tom lewis thats bullshit. I have the dji osmo mobile 3 and even with the phones camera it can active track. You dont need sensors, you need image recognition
You didn’t mention that you can’t manually ajust shutter speed, iso and white balance on the mini. That is something that can have a major impact of the look of the footage.
I’m actually downgrading from the Mavic Air for 3 main reasons: 1) Longer flight time 2) While the Mavic Air is portable, the Mavic Mini is even lighter/smaller. 3) Ability to charge the drone with the battery in it, and with a power bank. These outweigh the cons for me. I do hope DJI adds the ability to manually control shutter speed and WB for video though.
tom lewis I don’t know, they have manual controls for photos. If you look at some of their recent products (Osmo Pocket and Osmo Action), they’ve added a lot more functionality with consistent firmware updates. They tend to release half-baked software/firmware with new products lately. As for the sensors, I always turned those off on the Mavic Air. More annoying than helpful if you’re experienced.
melvonnar1 Lol, I won’t. I’m fine with the Mavic Mini as is, but I wouldn’t be surprised either if DJI adds more functionality with firmware updates. They’ve done the same with some of their more recent products and apps like the Osmo Pocket and Osmo Action and the Mimo App. They seem to like releasing new products with half-baked firmware/software.
I like the upgraded flight time on the mini but with the spark you can tap the power button twice and have the spark take off out of your hand. This feature has been very useful for me if I’m on a boat or any other place that you want to keep your drone off of the ground and from around people.
That was helpful! I have a Spark and based on this, I think I'm going to keep it for a while until I see what the wisdom of crowds says about the Mini...Thank you!
I recently sold my Mavic Air because I found I wasn’t flying it so much, I will be buying this drone as I’m a ultra lightweight hiker/ mountain biker and will be ideal form a weight/ form factor (I just hope DJI allow phone control in the future). As a casual flyer I’ll also feel a lot more happy allow a drone that is half the price of a MA to sit around collecting dust.
You will hate the fact that it does not have an object tracking which both spark and air had. This is especially frustrating since it's a marketing decision instead anything else, they have all the gear to do it, they just decided not to.
@@LetoAtreidis No, it is a lot different and far more complex. The spark came with obstacle avoidance in front which you need at leastfor tracking ... And if they promote it as a everybodies drone then first time drone buyers will complain if tracking ends in crashes. Far worser: if they would go with DJI care then the complains would raise far higher. I can understand why they dropped that out
Leto Atreidis hi, I understand where you are coming from, however I never really had a great deal of success with tracking while mountain biking or snowboarding. We have to be realistic with this drone, for its size, weight and price there are going to be compromises, for me I still think it will be a great little drone.
@@typxxilps It's not really a lot different and not really a complex thing, the tracking system is based on camera view only, the sensors are there to prevent crashing into stuff sure, but I don't need anyone to tell me that its unsafe to autotrack when there's obstacles above me, this is obvious, threating customers like idiots is what this is. A purely marketing decision to prevent the loss of sales of more expensive DJI drones.
@@LetoAtreidis Completely disagree. For a beginner drone a active tracking mode needs at least front sensors to avoid all the kind of obvious crashes ... This is marketed as a beginner drone so if you need more buy a Mavic Air ... simple as that. But do not expect that beginners wanna pay for your advantage cause if they use active track unaware of all it needs to take care for then they will have to pay the bill. Therefore I can understand that decision cause the core target group are beginners. Mavic Air or Air 2 will be there for all others. I have a Mavic 2 and do not start to ask for inspire features that somehow might work on mavic's 2 hardware. But I will buy this jump n run drone for sure now that range, flight timeand and app videos had made sure that DJI delivers what they had promised. If I need active tracking I will go with my Mavic 2.
Question:- One thing I used while travelling was palm launch on the Spark. This was needed in many areas that I travelled to in the Maldives as it made it easier to launch the Spark from my hand than off a sand bank that had potential to damage the drone with all the sharp bits of broken coral that could end up in the motors from the down draft of the props at take off. Another thing that I think needs to be mentioned is the lack of programable function buttons on the Mini’s remote. I have my Sparks buttons set to AE lock + Gimbal up/down. These are functions I would find difficult to live without. I also haven’t seen in any videos yet if it’s possible to change the pitch speed of the gimbal on the Mini? It was easy to change the speed in the Go4 app for the Spark which gave me nice control over panning the gimbal up/down. As a Spark owner I’m not convinced the Mini is a suitable upgrade, unless there are some major firmware/app updates to the Mini on its public release later this month. Cheers Adam
agreed, the spark is a much better drone, all those that sell their spark and get a mini will be greatly disappointed. they will wish they had there spark back.
You can adjust the speed of the gimbal as well as the rate at which it transitions from stationary to moving and vice/versa. Up/own is controlled with a small wheel accessible with your left forefinger on the top of the controller. AE lock is a simple tap on the screen of the Fly app. Take off and landing on your palm isn't too difficult.
my flight time of spark was damn low 12 minutes ... and that would let assume mini flight time of 26 min. But most reviews I be seen so far indicate 28,5 + minutes so that is a real huge progress
@Michael Lewandowski smaller to carry around. Twice the flight time. Twice the range. Simpler app. Better video quality. Less restrictions on flying due to weight.
Minom Pnom if u get the org cable for the spark u will get a good range u can reach a mile+ but the problem is the battery. And if u do color correction it will look awesome!
and the most important thing for me is the gesture control and the obstacle avoidance, and i live in a country that allow drones all the way to 7,000 grams. i dont have any experience but i will keep waiting for the spark 2 then decide
Leto Atreidis I don’t use active tracking very often, but sometimes I may use it depending on with I’m recording that day. And also the nav lights at the bottom help to see the drone when I’m shooting at night.
@Air Photography You forgot the massive limitation of the Mavic Mini with altitude... they say 3000m but in fact one of the videos showed that the Mavic Mini has an altitude problem even at 2300m. Compare that with the 4000m of the Spark (and I regularly film above that altitude with no problem), that means the Mini is not even capable of working at many locations.
Spark: of you want more security, with the senor features and because its a bit heavier, makes it some what better than the mini in strong wind. Mini: if you dont care about all that, want range, a free'r ranged camera and lighter drone. To get around the licensing stuff. That's the difference between the 2.
I'll give up 2.7k and 3 axis gimbal for all the camera functions the Spark offers alone. I love all the active track features of the Spark and being able to control the Spark manually in quick shot modes. Flight times are no bid deal for me but if I were to upgrade it would be the Mavic Air or better. Really enjoy your channel and its content. Thanks!
Good spotting on some of those subtle details like the lights on the Spark. There's no doubt, the Spark is still a capable drone. (That said, I just sold mine about a month ago (hmmm....maybe to the guy below! LOL) since I basically never flew it after buying a Mavic 2 Pro.)
Got a spark ,just bought a mini for travelling on motorcycle as the battery life of the mini is so much better and only need one ,always got one eye on battery display on sparky .
The unstable connection of the spark has me wanting to upgrade. Get far to many disconnections with the Spark. Less LED lights on the Mini make it far more stealthy.
Exactly, I have the phantom 4 but in all honesty the Spark is the go to drone. It's the best drone to have in all situations. Travel, holidays and work
I beg to differ. I was looking for a travel drone and was considering the Mavic Air. The Spark didn't even make it to my 'possible' list. The Mini fills the travel option hands down, especially as I will be flying in countries where the 250g limit is a big deal.
Thank you for the video. I'm sticking with my Spark. The Mini looks great but not enough for me to upgrade from my Spark. I think the Air 2 is the only real upgrade to the Spark. If the Mini had all the Spark features and added better battery, camera, and folding I would buy it.
A have a DJI spark, and wouldn't consider swapping it to the Mavic Mini. Yes the sub 250g is the marketing stuff - but if you put the bigger battery in and the prop guards on, then it's over that. It could be a good drone to start with, as long as you don't think it will get you round regulations.
Thank you. This is what I needed. I have a lot invested in my spark with accessories and the comparison side by side helped me stick to my spark. Appreciate the info.
I ♥️ my Spark. It just ticks all of the boxes. However DJI have been very crafty, as you’d expect, in adding some upgrades, especially the 3 axis gimbal.
It's in a class of it's own. It's not an upgrade to any previous model nor is it a replacement of any previous model. This is the problem with consumers today. They think the next thing released is an upgrade or a replacement and end up disappointed cause they don't get the fact that the next one could be a totally different product and made for a totally different reason or purpose.
OK, so apparently to preserve weight they didn't include obstacle avoidance, so that limits the ability to perform active tracking. Understandable. However, what's with the exclusion of software features such as panoramic photo stitching? That's a complete deal-breaker for me. I will not buy this drone unless they add those features. Surely if the drone is able to maintain position, it can capture the usual panoramic photos - vertical, horizontal, and panoramic - then the software needs to be upgraded to enable the stitching, which is already a feature in DJI GO
I’m doubtful they will add the manual camera settings considering it’s stated in the official specs that it’s Auto in video mode. They are going more simplified with the Mini
Active track was enough for me to buy a used spark on eBay over the mavoc mini. That’s super important for my style of filming when mountain biking, hiking, fishing etc. Active track let’s me able to be a one man team than have a pilot follow me. The option to not need a remote is also a big plus.
A nice and honest comparison with actual facts and not speculations. I for one will be keeping my Spark and foregoing the Mavic Mini for the foreseeable future. The Spark is supported on some nice 3rd party APPs such as, Pix4D, Spark Pro, and DroneBlocks, to name a few. The claimed 249g AUW of the Mini is questionable and might be a moot point here in Europe when the EASA regulations come into force in June 2020. To end with if I only owned a Spark and I was serious about upgrading I’d be looking at the Mavic Pro/Pro2, maybe the Air, if I wanted to stick with DJI. Regards Nidge.
I live in India 🇮🇳. I am very sad.😒 I have to register 250+ gram drone. Only I can buy mavic mini in India 🇮🇳. But u assisted me by this vdo. I think mavic mini is good 👍🏻
Spark looks better(and the LED lights is solid) and durable, plus obstacle avoidance, active tracking, never mind the battery life. I'll keep my Spark!
From a function point of view, I don’t think the mini offers enough to warrant upgrade. It’s only real advantage is the way it gets around the law but my gut feeling is that within a year or two the law will catch up and require this to be registered anyway
For me it's all about stability in connectivity, distance (battery and quality of wifi), quality of video (only auto for now in mini but hopefully will change)... i never used the fancy functions of the spark much, except for panorama and 360 sphere (which i have fingers crossed DJI will add later like they did with the spark) so i just sold my spark today for nearly the same price as the mini with fly more kit - i think when this is released and more people are in the know the spark will take a back seat and price will drop
Another great video comparing both drones. However I really don’t see a DJI Mavic mini as a replacement to my spark. I really do see it as a good alternative . So as opposed to replacing my Mavic mini I would be adding this drone as a more mobile companion when travelling because I would have less restrictions especially when it comes to flying south of the border or in the case of our American drone pilots north of the border. LOL I do hope that DJI has built-in very good Geo fencing for the novice or new drone pilot. Not only for their protection but for the safety of the airspace that they’re flying in. Good Geo fencing well help reduce the instances of some folks not being responsible and flying in restricted airspace. This will also help to show regulators that this drone could be operated safely With good Geo fencing in place.
Thanks for the really good comparison. Can you confirm if the dji fly app has the gps map? As much as I love the spark I believe the mavic mini is far superior. Way more then I ever thought so. My only disappointment is the lack of the led lights. Even during the day nav lights still help with orientation. So I do fly at night but then again when i do i mostly use fpv and gps anyway.
Fly app has a GPS map. It also records the track of your drone for each flight. There is also an orientation indicator at centre bottom of the app, so you know which way your drone is facing, and which driection it is in relation to your own position, which makes it easy to fly even if you can't actuelly see it.
You really need to weigh up what each offers, as the right drone will depend on your personal requirements. If you definitely need active tracking and would like object avoidance, then the Spark is for you. However, if you want a 3-axis gimbal, 2.7k video and longer flight times from each battery, then the Mini would be the choice.
To all the people saying this isn't really an upgrade from the spark, You have double the flight time, over double the distance you can fly it(2.4miles), 3 axis gimbal, double the resolution, lighter, foldable, 2 way 3 battery charging pack that you can charge with a power bank, ect........
@@martinezq1 not yet... all they have to do is a software update. There is nothing but software in the way. Go back to school. 2.7k is a higher resolution than 1080p
I'm a first time drone flier, so what do you think I should get. The sparks app works with my phone and is a little cheaper, but the Mavic Mini looks like it can do way more, but the app isn't comparable with my phone. So what do you think?
I feel like they should put out a Mavic Mini Pro for us who want the features in a small package, even if the weight and priced is upped a little. The Pro models are too large to carry around for my needs. Spark doesn't have retractable arms and 30fps is a no-go for me.
If I can find someone to buy my spark kit and bag for around 250-300 I’ll definitely upgrade to the Mavic mini fly more. Biggest reason for me upgrading is the flight time and 249G is nice to know that NOBTcan bother you... As long as you aren’t dumb lol
the first drone I owned was a DJI spark, I use it most of the time for work whenever I do aerial video surveys on properties located in the mountain regions here in my country. The spark's gimbal stability is close to perfect, this I noticed after I purchased a Mavic Air. Although the spark can only deliver 1080p compared to the Mavic air, the spark still delivers fluid aerial videos even at 100ft with strong winds. The downside on the spark however, is the battery latch...I need to buy a battery latch lock online to secure the battery of the spark in case of a crash, so I won't loose its battery. From what I see on the new Mavic Mini...and the good side..It has a dedicated battery compartment slot on the drone itself. This is a total plus for DJI coz both the Mavic Air and spark's batteries are just snap-ons! The downside however, is the wifi dependability of the Mavic Mini, I can fly both of my drones using the remote's built-in radio signals up to 4Km on the Mavic Air without enabling wifi at all, of course I'm using an iPad Air with Cellular..that way the app will always be connected to satellites nearby without the need of depending on Wifi. I'm planning to get a Mavic Mini just for hobby, I kinda like its portability and secured battery on the drone.
@@fishndive1961 It depends which controller are we talking about...the phone or the dji remote, the phone of course when you will use it as controller to the aircraft will not work unless you use a wifi connection. That's where you need the username/password of the aircraft to connect to. I'm talking about an ADhoc connection via occusync..wherein no username/password is needed..just radio signal from the remote to the aircraft...that's the option on the DJI Go4 app that'll you how do you want to connect to the aircraft..wired connection or wireless connection..the wired connection bypasses Wi-Fi per se. Mavic mini doesn't have that on the Fly App because it does not support OCCUSYNC.
technically its not really a wired connection, because only my iPad Air is physically connected on a cable to my Mavic air controller and the remote communicates directly to the aircraft without enabling wifi on the iPad, wifi is disabled...to be technically correct occusync bet.controller and the aircraft..
So I've heard the spark has some better features than the mini. Such as active track, obstacle avoidance, etc. But the mini is lighter, smaller, better flight time. And apparently better video quality. But is the video quality actually better than the spark? Give me some advice.
I was planing to buy spark ( due the low budget and only for personal shot)... Also i was planing for gopro7 before the launch of Gopro 8.... This year i have learned that i should be patient for everything... Omg... This mavic mini hit the record of the saving budget also the gopro8... Spark is dead.... I don t care about sensors ( i was using phantom3 standard for 1 year) also i want the maximum flight time so 30 min and with that fly more combo twice extra battry... Amazing...
I don't think we should be calling the mini an upgrade, nor a replacement for the spark. It's another tool, that can accomplish a set of tasks the spark cannot, at least in Canada.
@@mrjoshi07 don't need any certification, can fly it in controlled airspace without requiring authorization. Basically don't be a dumbass. The spark has a few features, like follow me, the mini doesn't, but they're both awesome aircraft. The spark however weighs more than 250 grams, and requires a license. Of which theres 2 variations, based on the airspace you want to fly in, and as such, 2 tests one more difficult than the other.
@@coryzirk5299 Good to know. Thanks for the info. I have a spark and used to fly it before the drone laws changed last year. It will be replaced with a Mavic mini by the sounds of it.
Gave it a Thumbs Up! Looking for a SPARK on eBay! SPARK has more features than the MINI...MINI have the gimbal and video qualities, range, and flight time (~15 mins more)...then again, the video quality between the two isn’t a HUGE difference.
Excellent review. While I do have the Spark the longer flight time (w/mini) is a big bonus. Along with a bit better film resolution. Again, thank you for the review!
Exactly my thinking - the additional flight time is huge and the slightly superior video/photo capabilities is nice. If not for the additional flight time, I would stick with my Spark, but I am switching to the Mavic Mini. I do hope that DJI adds in the 'missing" flight modes and also adds panorama mode to photos.
Functionality and size on Spark. You not need controler, you have gestures for quick action and active track... Waiting for mini update and will see...
Nice comparison, guiding those who just about to enjoy being drone pilots or those who want to upgrade. I like to have Mavic Mini in the future since I currently own Mavics 2 Pro and Zoom....so not so urgent to aqcuire another one. Hopefully DJI upgrades some other features that are available on Sparks
Can you please talk at the same voice level? You drop all of sudden whilst talking and we gotta rewind and hold our ear next to the speaker to hear what you said. Other than that awesome video! Thanks
It will be interesting to see if some features will be in the new DJI Fly app that are missing from the tester app and if DJI support the Mini in the development kit so that Litchi can support it.
I feel you seem to not be taking the price in to account here regarding your comment. As well as many other reviews; I may be wrong though. But, for the cost of the Mini and what's included; it's a no brainer. First timers - backpackers - backyarders and the average joe PAY ATTENTION - this is on track to be a bar setter drone, and it WILL set the bar for what is yet to come as an everyday all around flying camera for the regular consumer in the near future (not digging in on regulations and FCC-CE, permits and all that other BS). 249g with a 26 min flight time?? Minus the 4k and OA. Who is buying this drone for $500? Everybody who knows the value of a dollar. Weigh your pros and cons - I have. It's a complete bargain for the price they're asking. If you have twice the budget - check out Skydio 2.0
Jeff Berezuk but should you upgrade is the question. $500 for a drone with few extra and the loss of some functions that the spark had, less settings in the software. No LED, active track lost me on the mini (no pun)
@@olmecST LED's are not a dealbreaker for myself on this unit as nor it should be for anyone else at this price point. Software/Firmware updates are something you would have to inquire about with DJI; I won't comment on that front. As far as active track is concerned - this drone was obviously not designed to boast that feature - hence the 249g.
Every point you examine are the same I've debated over. I have the spark and the phantom 3 standard. Considering getting the Mavic mini but not totally convinced. I like the sub 250 gm aspect of it and the size. I think if I had it I would take more opportunities to fly. That said I have always wanted the mavic pro or the next gen mavics. So Im considering a used mavic pro or a new mavic mini...
absolute no brainer man. if your going travelling and want hassle free footage get yourself the new gopro hero 8 (theyre currently doing 100 trade in any old camera) and the mavic mini....... and thats all you need.
my conclusion after watching several reviews i bought mavic mini.... heres what i found now but i cant say about spark coz i havent test it...
1. the 2.7k 30fps is very nice to have and useful in post for cropping
2 the mini is lacking dynamic range sometimes i dont get the highlight i expected.
3. the 5km range really doesnt matter coz even if u fly more than 1 km u wont able to see... hope u would not want to lose the drone risking to go 5km....also dont go too high altitude strong wind is the worst enemy of the mini. but within 1km range and 200 m
altitude hope u will find best angle
4. some are explaining absence of obs sensor at the front.. but dont be... use the camera view as your obstacle sensor 😁 because more sensor on the drone definitely reduces flight time .. you dont need much sensor if u know how to fly and carefully examine sorrounding before takeoff
4. battery life is great ...in real time i can fly 20-25 mins depending on how hard the wind is
5. the quick shot mode is good but only circle mode has the best tracking mode of the locked object. i hope this will be improved in further updates.
6. in video mode the iso and shutter speed cannot be manually adjust...but the ev is quite good for me and always lock your exposure setting so that u can easily edit in post.
7. lastly i cant believe the smoothness of the footage came from this small light drone.... i always wonder the strong wind will be causing trouble but this mini stays strong and fights that wind and still able to take a smooth buttery videos but too much strong wind drains battery and also always scares me that sometimes it almost look like itd gonna lose against wind.... but i am still amazed that it stays strong and how hard it fights against the wind.... still i recommend to be careful against strong wind warning
THANKS HOPE THIS WILL BE HELPFUL FOR SOME PEOPLE
Joseph Rammawizuala I can’t fly the mini in windy conditions but with my spark i can
I actually flew my mavic mini 4 kilometres
@@glub1381 did they add AE bracketing? or dng's? thanks
@@lexluther1323 my mini flies great eve in windy conditions, the battery will drain faster but it stays stable
Love my spark. Was considering upgrading to the mini but it appears that it wont necessarily be an upgrade! For its size, the spark does it all!!
I think I'll stick with my Spark for a while. The obstacle avoidance just saved it the other day, so that's important to me. In the US not having to register the Mavic Mini doesn't mean much. If you're flying for recreation, you still have to follow the same rules as registered drones. If you're flying Part 107 then you are still required to register the Mavic MIni. If you're going to fly outdoors with the prop guards it's over 250 grams and has to be registered.
No active track in the mini? That’s all I needed to hear...thanks.
I hope they add it with an update 🙏🏼
Weedhunter they won’t and they will never
I was thinking of buying a Mini, but not anymore.
@tom lewis thats bullshit. I have the dji osmo mobile 3 and even with the phones camera it can active track. You dont need sensors, you need image recognition
Im with spark
You didn’t mention that you can’t manually ajust shutter speed, iso and white balance on the mini. That is something that can have a major impact of the look of the footage.
I like the mavic mini, but i need to stick with my spark until mavic mini pro max!😉
You mean Mavic Mini Pro X Super Max 2020 edition.
Wait for mavic mini pro max 2
Or the mavic mini pro max zoom v2 (2021)
or mavic mini mini zoom v3 super max edition
TeVe how much do you think it will be should I wait for it I’m a beginner
I practiced with a Tello and the Mavic Mini is just what I was waiting for.
Wouldn't recommend upgrading to Mavic Mini especially it's new
I’m actually downgrading from the Mavic Air for 3 main reasons:
1) Longer flight time
2) While the Mavic Air is portable, the Mavic Mini is even lighter/smaller.
3) Ability to charge the drone with the battery in it, and with a power bank.
These outweigh the cons for me. I do hope DJI adds the ability to manually control shutter speed and WB for video though.
Makes sense if your willing to give up the safety assistants
don't hold your breath
tom lewis I don’t know, they have manual controls for photos. If you look at some of their recent products (Osmo Pocket and Osmo Action), they’ve added a lot more functionality with consistent firmware updates. They tend to release half-baked software/firmware with new products lately. As for the sensors, I always turned those off on the Mavic Air. More annoying than helpful if you’re experienced.
Benjamin Strawde I always turned those off. More annoying than helpful if you’re experienced.
melvonnar1 Lol, I won’t. I’m fine with the Mavic Mini as is, but I wouldn’t be surprised either if DJI adds more functionality with firmware updates. They’ve done the same with some of their more recent products and apps like the Osmo Pocket and Osmo Action and the Mimo App. They seem to like releasing new products with half-baked firmware/software.
No obstacle avoidance, no active track, no DJI go 4, no ocusync, I’ll just stick to my spark
No sensor in front off the body
Ya no sensor on the mavic mini
im ok with no sensor but no active track makes me wanna wait for the next one
Spark doesn’t have ocusync
I'm not bothered about those two, do you think I should upgrade?
I like the upgraded flight time on the mini but with the spark you can tap the power button twice and have the spark take off out of your hand. This feature has been very useful for me if I’m on a boat or any other place that you want to keep your drone off of the ground and from around people.
I just bought a spark. It had more features that caught my eye. Had my first flight today HOOKED
so.. how is it today
That was helpful! I have a Spark and based on this, I think I'm going to keep it for a while until I see what the wisdom of crowds says about the Mini...Thank you!
I recently sold my Mavic Air because I found I wasn’t flying it so much, I will be buying this drone as I’m a ultra lightweight hiker/ mountain biker and will be ideal form a weight/ form factor (I just hope DJI allow phone control in the future). As a casual flyer I’ll also feel a lot more happy allow a drone that is half the price of a MA to sit around collecting dust.
You will hate the fact that it does not have an object tracking which both spark and air had. This is especially frustrating since it's a marketing decision instead anything else, they have all the gear to do it, they just decided not to.
@@LetoAtreidis No, it is a lot different and far more complex. The spark came with obstacle avoidance in front which you need at leastfor tracking ... And if they promote it as a everybodies drone then first time drone buyers will complain if tracking ends in crashes. Far worser: if they would go with DJI care then the complains would raise far higher.
I can understand why they dropped that out
Leto Atreidis hi, I understand where you are coming from, however I never really had a great deal of success with tracking while mountain biking or snowboarding. We have to be realistic with this drone, for its size, weight and price there are going to be compromises, for me I still think it will be a great little drone.
@@typxxilps It's not really a lot different and not really a complex thing, the tracking system is based on camera view only, the sensors are there to prevent crashing into stuff sure, but I don't need anyone to tell me that its unsafe to autotrack when there's obstacles above me, this is obvious, threating customers like idiots is what this is. A purely marketing decision to prevent the loss of sales of more expensive DJI drones.
@@LetoAtreidis Completely disagree.
For a beginner drone a active tracking mode needs at least front sensors to avoid all the kind of obvious crashes ...
This is marketed as a beginner drone so if you need more buy a Mavic Air ... simple as that.
But do not expect that beginners wanna pay for your advantage cause if they use active track unaware of all it needs to take care for then they will have to pay the bill.
Therefore I can understand that decision cause the core target group are beginners.
Mavic Air or Air 2 will be there for all others.
I have a Mavic 2 and do not start to ask for inspire features that somehow might work on mavic's 2 hardware.
But I will buy this jump n run drone for sure now that range, flight timeand and app videos had made sure that DJI delivers what they had promised.
If I need active tracking I will go with my Mavic 2.
Question:- One thing I used while travelling was palm launch on the Spark. This was needed in many areas that I travelled to in the Maldives as it made it easier to launch the Spark from my hand than off a sand bank that had potential to damage the drone with all the sharp bits of broken coral that could end up in the motors from the down draft of the props at take off. Another thing that I think needs to be mentioned is the lack of programable function buttons on the Mini’s remote. I have my Sparks buttons set to AE lock + Gimbal up/down. These are functions I would find difficult to live without. I also haven’t seen in any videos yet if it’s possible to change the pitch speed of the gimbal on the Mini? It was easy to change the speed in the Go4 app for the Spark which gave me nice control over panning the gimbal up/down. As a Spark owner I’m not convinced the Mini is a suitable upgrade, unless there are some major firmware/app updates to the Mini on its public release later this month. Cheers Adam
agreed, the spark is a much better drone, all those that sell their spark and get a mini will be greatly disappointed. they will wish they had there spark back.
@@melvonnar1 Nope! I would have sold it anyway. Flight time was abysmal.
Same here...
You can adjust the speed of the gimbal as well as the rate at which it transitions from stationary to moving and vice/versa. Up/own is controlled with a small wheel accessible with your left forefinger on the top of the controller. AE lock is a simple tap on the screen of the Fly app. Take off and landing on your palm isn't too difficult.
my flight time of spark was damn low 12 minutes ... and that would let assume mini flight time of 26 min.
But most reviews I be seen so far indicate 28,5 + minutes so that is a real huge progress
U have to check altitud m retorn home settings, try 20m or 25 m
Keeping my Spark. If they would of put the features the Spark already has along with the Mini's upgrades, it'd be a done deal...but they failed to.
Bingo.
Michael Lewandowski I personally love my spark and I haven’t really had any problems with it.
@Michael Lewandowski I'd go for the mavic mini over the spark to be honest.
@Michael Lewandowski smaller to carry around. Twice the flight time. Twice the range. Simpler app. Better video quality. Less restrictions on flying due to weight.
Minom Pnom if u get the org cable for the spark u will get a good range u can reach a mile+ but the problem is the battery. And if u do color correction it will look awesome!
I have the spark and I’m gonna keep it. I like the idea of the mini, but I think I may just hold out for a mavic pro
Mavic pro 2 with the hassleblad camera is awesome. Save and buy one ! You wont regret it 😁👍
Actually from my perspective spark is a better drone for me because of the active object tracking which mini doesn't have
and the most important thing for me is the gesture control and the obstacle avoidance, and i live in a country that allow drones all the way to 7,000 grams. i dont have any experience but i will keep waiting for the spark 2 then decide
Leto Atreidis I don’t use active tracking very often, but sometimes I may use it depending on with I’m recording that day. And also the nav lights at the bottom help to see the drone when I’m shooting at night.
Noel Nastor I’ve used the gestures and they are convenient.
Waiting for this as I have a spark and love it 😍
I have the spark and if they had an extended battery I'd never even consider the mini. I'd also say they would sell a lot of batteries.
That's alright, I'll just upgrade to Spark. Not like 2k and 1080p has a major difference, and it's cheaper for a used one.
Some nice upgrades in the mini but I agree the spark has a lot of features the mini dosen't have
Just snagged a Spark in 2020. Love it
Very well thought out presentation of the pros and cons. Thank you!
@Air Photography You forgot the massive limitation of the Mavic Mini with altitude... they say 3000m but in fact one of the videos showed that the Mavic Mini has an altitude problem even at 2300m. Compare that with the 4000m of the Spark (and I regularly film above that altitude with no problem), that means the Mini is not even capable of working at many locations.
Spark: of you want more security, with the senor features and because its a bit heavier, makes it some what better than the mini in strong wind.
Mini: if you dont care about all that, want range, a free'r ranged camera and lighter drone. To get around the licensing stuff. That's the difference between the 2.
finally a vid i've been waiting to see.
Thanks for getting right to the point on everything and giving your opinion in a timely manner
I'll give up 2.7k and 3 axis gimbal for all the camera functions the Spark offers alone. I love all the active track features of the Spark and being able to control the Spark manually in quick shot modes. Flight times are no bid deal for me but if I were to upgrade it would be the Mavic Air or better. Really enjoy your channel and its content. Thanks!
Man I love my SPARK! I wish they would make a SPARK that folds!!
the mini is basically a spark folded
LeoVloging gunna have to get one
Not me. The solid arms is what makes the Spark so solid & strong. Side by side unfolded the Spark is still smaller.
Travis I agree, I’ve had my spark for a year and a half and I would not trade nothing for it
Just curious to see if they’re going to make the spark foldable they do every other drone..
It was great to hear the pros n cons of both drones from u, thank u sir 🙌🏻🙏🏻👍🏻
Thank you
I will trade the obstacle avoidance and tracking for lightweight, compact, better quality of videos and price.
Good spotting on some of those subtle details like the lights on the Spark. There's no doubt, the Spark is still a capable drone. (That said, I just sold mine about a month ago (hmmm....maybe to the guy below! LOL) since I basically never flew it after buying a Mavic 2 Pro.)
That’s why I’m keeping my green dji Spark
Got a spark ,just bought a mini for travelling on motorcycle as the battery life of the mini is so much better and only need one ,always got one eye on battery display on sparky .
The unstable connection of the spark has me wanting to upgrade. Get far to many disconnections with the Spark. Less LED lights on the Mini make it far more stealthy.
You can always put black paints on led
Jimb0 , option to turn off the light in DJI GO4 app?
Thanks for the video! Def staying with the spark. It has served me well thus far.
Exactly, I have the phantom 4 but in all honesty the Spark is the go to drone. It's the best drone to have in all situations. Travel, holidays and work
I beg to differ. I was looking for a travel drone and was considering the Mavic Air. The Spark didn't even make it to my 'possible' list. The Mini fills the travel option hands down, especially as I will be flying in countries where the 250g limit is a big deal.
@@Sorarse great for you mate
Can you do 360 panoramas on the mini like you can on the spark?
Thank you for the video. I'm sticking with my Spark. The Mini looks great but not enough for me to upgrade from my Spark. I think the Air 2 is the only real upgrade to the Spark. If the Mini had all the Spark features and added better battery, camera, and folding I would buy it.
A have a DJI spark, and wouldn't consider swapping it to the Mavic Mini. Yes the sub 250g is the marketing stuff - but if you put the bigger battery in and the prop guards on, then it's over that. It could be a good drone to start with, as long as you don't think it will get you round regulations.
Thanks for the review, I thinks I stick with the spark.
Thank you. This is what I needed. I have a lot invested in my spark with accessories and the comparison side by side helped me stick to my spark. Appreciate the info.
I ♥️ my Spark. It just ticks all of the boxes.
However DJI have been very crafty, as you’d expect, in adding some upgrades, especially the 3 axis gimbal.
It's in a class of it's own. It's not an upgrade to any previous model nor is it a replacement of any previous model. This is the problem with consumers today. They think the next thing released is an upgrade or a replacement and end up disappointed cause they don't get the fact that the next one could be a totally different product and made for a totally different reason or purpose.
OK, so apparently to preserve weight they didn't include obstacle avoidance, so that limits the ability to perform active tracking. Understandable.
However, what's with the exclusion of software features such as panoramic photo stitching? That's a complete deal-breaker for me. I will not buy this drone unless they add those features. Surely if the drone is able to maintain position, it can capture the usual panoramic photos - vertical, horizontal, and panoramic - then the software needs to be upgraded to enable the stitching, which is already a feature in DJI GO
This is why I purchased the spark - adore the spark and will not be parting with it. I’ve also purchased the mini to have the best of both.
I’ll stick with my Spark ..I value manual camera settings more than other upgrades the mini has
there is manual mode on photo mode with the mini and the video manual mode is bound to be released later on. It's just software my dude.
Many people have said this. I believe DJI will do an upgrade to allow this with the Mini. The camera should be capable setting adjustments.
I'm on the fence as soon as the camera on mini is upgraded to allow more manual changes I'm 100% sold
I’m doubtful they will add the manual camera settings considering it’s stated in the official specs that it’s Auto in video mode. They are going more simplified with the Mini
Active track was enough for me to buy a used spark on eBay over the mavoc mini. That’s super important for my style of filming when mountain biking, hiking, fishing etc. Active track let’s me able to be a one man team than have a pilot follow me. The option to not need a remote is also a big plus.
A nice and honest comparison with actual facts and not speculations.
I for one will be keeping my Spark and foregoing the Mavic Mini for the foreseeable future. The Spark is supported on some nice 3rd party APPs such as, Pix4D, Spark Pro, and DroneBlocks, to name a few. The claimed 249g AUW of the Mini is questionable and might be a moot point here in Europe when the EASA regulations come into force in June 2020. To end with if I only owned a Spark and I was serious about upgrading I’d be looking at the Mavic Pro/Pro2, maybe the Air, if I wanted to stick with DJI.
Regards
Nidge.
I live in India 🇮🇳. I am very sad.😒 I have to register 250+ gram drone. Only I can buy mavic mini in India 🇮🇳. But u assisted me by this vdo. I think mavic mini is good 👍🏻
Spark looks better(and the LED lights is solid) and durable, plus obstacle avoidance, active tracking, never mind the battery life. I'll keep my Spark!
Great video definitely keeping my spark then no need to upgrade
From a function point of view, I don’t think the mini offers enough to warrant upgrade. It’s only real advantage is the way it gets around the law but my gut feeling is that within a year or two the law will catch up and require this to be registered anyway
the fact that I just bought my dji spark and I'll be paying it till 2022 lmao..
revenge age | Hopefully you didn’t pay full price for it..
Me too i bought mine 2 months ago fly more combo $550 and im happy
You know if you just bought spark you are wanting the new one. Everyone wants the new one.
Why would you do that? Consumer debt is expensive
🤣
I agree with a lot of guys, no active track is a deal breaker.
For me it's all about stability in connectivity, distance (battery and quality of wifi), quality of video (only auto for now in mini but hopefully will change)... i never used the fancy functions of the spark much, except for panorama and 360 sphere (which i have fingers crossed DJI will add later like they did with the spark)
so i just sold my spark today for nearly the same price as the mini with fly more kit - i think when this is released and more people are in the know the spark will take a back seat and price will drop
Another great video comparing both drones. However I really don’t see a DJI Mavic mini as a replacement to my spark. I really do see it as a good alternative . So as opposed to replacing my Mavic mini I would be adding this drone as a more mobile companion when travelling because I would have less restrictions especially when it comes to flying south of the border or in the case of our American drone pilots north of the border. LOL
I do hope that DJI has built-in very good Geo fencing for the novice or new drone pilot. Not only for their protection but for the safety of the airspace that they’re flying in. Good Geo fencing well help reduce the instances of some folks not being responsible and flying in restricted airspace. This will also help to show regulators that this drone could be operated safely With good Geo fencing in place.
I shoot and go, occasionally I would use the features on spark but I rarely so the mini is good for me.
Thanks for the really good comparison. Can you confirm if the dji fly app has the gps map? As much as I love the spark I believe the mavic mini is far superior. Way more then I ever thought so. My only disappointment is the lack of the led lights. Even during the day nav lights still help with orientation. So I do fly at night but then again when i do i mostly use fpv and gps anyway.
Fly app has a GPS map. It also records the track of your drone for each flight. There is also an orientation indicator at centre bottom of the app, so you know which way your drone is facing, and which driection it is in relation to your own position, which makes it easy to fly even if you can't actuelly see it.
If I don’t have either of them which one would you recommend?
That's my question too
I would recommend eaither, but I would go towards the mavic mini
You really need to weigh up what each offers, as the right drone will depend on your personal requirements. If you definitely need active tracking and would like object avoidance, then the Spark is for you. However, if you want a 3-axis gimbal, 2.7k video and longer flight times from each battery, then the Mini would be the choice.
I bought a mavic mini fmc last Dec.22. After few days, i ordered a GPC case and i received it 2 days ago. I'm very happy with my MM 😁
Nice, solid review. Needed this, thanks
best comparison video,on this topic.Good job
To all the people saying this isn't really an upgrade from the spark, You have double the flight time, over double the distance you can fly it(2.4miles), 3 axis gimbal, double the resolution, lighter, foldable, 2 way 3 battery charging pack that you can charge with a power bank, ect........
Worst video quality, no panorama, no sensors for begginers, no active track, follow mode, no gesture control, no hand start and landing...
About size - you cant use without controller, so the size is bigger. You need smartphone and controller
@@martinezq1 not yet... all they have to do is a software update. There is nothing but software in the way. Go back to school. 2.7k is a higher resolution than 1080p
I'm a first time drone flier, so what do you think I should get. The sparks app works with my phone and is a little cheaper, but the Mavic Mini looks like it can do way more, but the app isn't comparable with my phone. So what do you think?
I feel like they should put out a Mavic Mini Pro for us who want the features in a small package, even if the weight and priced is upped a little. The Pro models are too large to carry around for my needs. Spark doesn't have retractable arms and 30fps is a no-go for me.
If I can find someone to buy my spark kit and bag for around 250-300 I’ll definitely upgrade to the Mavic mini fly more. Biggest reason for me upgrading is the flight time and 249G is nice to know that NOBTcan bother you... As long as you aren’t dumb lol
As always, well presented with great information. Thank you so much.
What about the quality taking photos? Big difference?
Excellent comparison, no BS reveiw. Thanks.
I'd pick the mini any day after watching more than your video.
Ordered the bundle yesterday.
3 Most important things for drone are
Max Flying height,
Max Flight time,
Image stabilization,
the first drone I owned was a DJI spark, I use it most of the time for work whenever I do aerial video surveys on properties located in the mountain regions here in my country. The spark's gimbal stability is close to perfect, this I noticed after I purchased a Mavic Air. Although the spark can only deliver 1080p compared to the Mavic air, the spark still delivers fluid aerial videos even at 100ft with strong winds. The downside on the spark however, is the battery latch...I need to buy a battery latch lock online to secure the battery of the spark in case of a crash, so I won't loose its battery. From what I see on the new Mavic Mini...and the good side..It has a dedicated battery compartment slot on the drone itself. This is a total plus for DJI coz both the Mavic Air and spark's batteries are just snap-ons! The downside however, is the wifi dependability of the Mavic Mini, I can fly both of my drones using the remote's built-in radio signals up to 4Km on the Mavic Air without enabling wifi at all, of course I'm using an iPad Air with Cellular..that way the app will always be connected to satellites nearby without the need of depending on Wifi. I'm planning to get a Mavic Mini just for hobby, I kinda like its portability and secured battery on the drone.
The Mavic Air uses wifi just like the Mavic Mini. The controller communicates with the aircraft using Wifi.
@@fishndive1961 It depends which controller are we talking about...the phone or the dji remote, the phone of course when you will use it as controller to the aircraft will not work unless you use a wifi connection. That's where you need the username/password of the aircraft to connect to. I'm talking about an ADhoc connection via occusync..wherein no username/password is needed..just radio signal from the remote to the aircraft...that's the option on the DJI Go4 app that'll you how do you want to connect to the aircraft..wired connection or wireless connection..the wired connection bypasses Wi-Fi per se. Mavic mini doesn't have that on the Fly App because it does not support OCCUSYNC.
technically its not really a wired connection, because only my iPad Air is physically connected on a cable to my Mavic air controller and the remote communicates directly to the aircraft without enabling wifi on the iPad, wifi is disabled...to be technically correct occusync bet.controller and the aircraft..
Mavic mini is a drone wonder in progress...I hope they equip it with occusync in the future..
@@fishndive1961 Thanks, I appreciate your reply.
So I've heard the spark has some better features than the mini. Such as active track, obstacle avoidance, etc. But the mini is lighter, smaller, better flight time. And apparently better video quality. But is the video quality actually better than the spark? Give me some advice.
I was planing to buy spark ( due the low budget and only for personal shot)... Also i was planing for gopro7 before the launch of Gopro 8.... This year i have learned that i should be patient for everything... Omg... This mavic mini hit the record of the saving budget also the gopro8... Spark is dead.... I don t care about sensors ( i was using phantom3 standard for 1 year) also i want the maximum flight time so 30 min and with that fly more combo twice extra battry... Amazing...
I don't think we should be calling the mini an upgrade, nor a replacement for the spark.
It's another tool, that can accomplish a set of tasks the spark cannot, at least in Canada.
So in Canada, you can fly the mini without any issues but not the spark?
@@mrjoshi07 don't need any certification, can fly it in controlled airspace without requiring authorization. Basically don't be a dumbass. The spark has a few features, like follow me, the mini doesn't, but they're both awesome aircraft. The spark however weighs more than 250 grams, and requires a license. Of which theres 2 variations, based on the airspace you want to fly in, and as such, 2 tests one more difficult than the other.
@@coryzirk5299 Good to know. Thanks for the info. I have a spark and used to fly it before the drone laws changed last year. It will be replaced with a Mavic mini by the sounds of it.
Seems like the spark has the functionality I would like more
I'll live with a slightly worse camera
gr8 video love to watch ur videos n lots of love from Maharashtra INDIA
Gave it a Thumbs Up!
Looking for a SPARK on eBay! SPARK has more features than the MINI...MINI have the gimbal and video qualities, range, and flight time (~15 mins more)...then again, the video quality between the two isn’t a HUGE difference.
Thank you for in-depth comparison
Excellent review. While I do have the Spark the longer flight time (w/mini) is a big bonus. Along with a bit better film resolution.
Again, thank you for the review!
Exactly my thinking - the additional flight time is huge and the slightly superior video/photo capabilities is nice. If not for the additional flight time, I would stick with my Spark, but I am switching to the Mavic Mini. I do hope that DJI adds in the 'missing" flight modes and also adds panorama mode to photos.
@@ThomasGifford ,,, 100% agree Tom. The Spark is great, but the "mini" benefits will certainly make it (mini) a nice addition!
@@ThomasGifford I agree with you 100%. Spark's Achilles heal is the flight time.
Functionality and size on Spark. You not need controler, you have gestures for quick action and active track... Waiting for mini update and will see...
Nice comparison, guiding those who just about to enjoy being drone pilots or those who want to upgrade. I like to have Mavic Mini in the future since I currently own Mavics 2 Pro and Zoom....so not so urgent to aqcuire another one. Hopefully DJI upgrades some other features that are available on Sparks
Can you please talk at the same voice level? You drop all of sudden whilst talking and we gotta rewind and hold our ear next to the speaker to hear what you said.
Other than that awesome video! Thanks
Which one u recommend???
This was really helpful, great video!
Great informative video good comparison thanks for the update Bro
It will be interesting to see if some features will be in the new DJI Fly app that are missing from the tester app and if DJI support the Mini in the development kit so that Litchi can support it.
I will keep my spark for now thanks.
Spark will be a classic. Mavic mini needs some upgrades.
agreed
I feel you seem to not be taking the price in to account here regarding your comment. As well as many other reviews; I may be wrong though.
But, for the cost of the Mini and what's included; it's a no brainer.
First timers - backpackers - backyarders and the average joe PAY ATTENTION - this is on track to be a bar setter drone, and it WILL set the bar for what is yet to come as an everyday all around flying camera for the regular consumer in the near future (not digging in on regulations and FCC-CE, permits and all that other BS).
249g with a 26 min flight time?? Minus the 4k and OA. Who is buying this drone for $500?
Everybody who knows the value of a dollar.
Weigh your pros and cons - I have.
It's a complete bargain for the price they're asking.
If you have twice the budget - check out Skydio 2.0
Jeff Berezuk but should you upgrade is the question. $500 for a drone with few extra and the loss of some functions that the spark had, less settings in the software. No LED, active track lost me on the mini (no pun)
@@olmecST LED's are not a dealbreaker for myself on this unit as nor it should be for anyone else at this price point. Software/Firmware updates are something you would have to inquire about with DJI; I won't comment on that front. As far as active track is concerned - this drone was obviously not designed to boast that feature - hence the 249g.
I wouldn't consider this drone any sort of an upgrade but rather an addition to ones collection - or an excellent start for a beginner.
really liked this vid and made me decide to save the cash and stick with the spark THANK YOU :)
Every point you examine are the same I've debated over. I have the spark and the phantom 3 standard. Considering getting the Mavic mini but not totally convinced. I like the sub 250 gm aspect of it and the size. I think if I had it I would take more opportunities to fly. That said I have always wanted the mavic pro or the next gen mavics. So Im considering a used mavic pro or a new mavic mini...
So, the Parrot Anafi is still the only drone to get pretty much. Around 400-500 on Ebay. Better camera, camera to top. Almost as good to carry. etc.
absolute no brainer man. if your going travelling and want hassle free footage get yourself the new gopro hero 8 (theyre currently doing 100 trade in any old camera) and the mavic mini....... and thats all you need.
Go pro 8 is awesome.
Thanks for this. Really well done explanation.
Thanks.. This really helped a lot
Nice comprehensive review-what i was looking for. I’m gonna stick to spark for the time. For me obstacle avoidance is lifeline.
As someone who owns a Mavic Pro, Mavic Air and Spark, the Mavic mini would be a waste of money for me.
Excelent review, thank you 👋🏼👍🏼
Mavic mini is much better than spark.
Aretas Baltramiejūnas You don’t say ?
Only the battery but not the air.